Ford fiesta ecoboost timing belt replacement or used EV?
Discussion
OH drives a 18 plate ford fiesta 1.0 ecoboost and uses for a daily commute of 40 miles. It’s reached 104k miles and now requires the wet belt changing. We’re aware of the issues surrounding the oil pickup being blocked and low pressure causing damage to the engine.
Car in its current condition is valued at £3.8k at best. The new belt inc. labour would cost £1.9k
Is it worth repairing or should we switch to a used EV (i3s/leaf/e-golf)?
Any help much appreciated.
Car in its current condition is valued at £3.8k at best. The new belt inc. labour would cost £1.9k
Is it worth repairing or should we switch to a used EV (i3s/leaf/e-golf)?
Any help much appreciated.
From what I've seen, the problem with these wet belts is that most independent garages wont touch them so you're either stung by main dealer prices or the small number of Ford specialists who can charge a big premium for their willingness to take on the job.
A 40 mile commute is pretty much ideal usage for a smallish used EV, but the up-front costs are obviously going to be significant. If it was me and you have the ability to charge at home, I'd probably be looking to spend <£10k on a small used EV, maybe something like a Zoe. If you can't charge at home, forget it, IMO - fix the Ford or replace it with something similar with a less moronic engine design.
A 40 mile commute is pretty much ideal usage for a smallish used EV, but the up-front costs are obviously going to be significant. If it was me and you have the ability to charge at home, I'd probably be looking to spend <£10k on a small used EV, maybe something like a Zoe. If you can't charge at home, forget it, IMO - fix the Ford or replace it with something similar with a less moronic engine design.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 8th January 16:21
Had a similar dilemma last year with my daughters Fiesta, which was similar mileage but 2013. The car has been faultless since new, and she liked it so we took the plunge and had it done. Your quote does seem dear - I think ours cost £1300 from a reputable local Ford specialist, and they aren't known for being cheap.
No regrets as car still gives her no problems, just hoping nothing goes bang for the next couple of years.
No regrets as car still gives her no problems, just hoping nothing goes bang for the next couple of years.
if its going to cost half the value of the car to replace either invest in it and keep long term or roll the dice until it dies.
If it dies when its only worth 1500-2k you haven't really lost much. It may never die. What usually ruins them is lack of servicing, servicing with the wrong oil or lots of short journeys where the oil is contaminated with petrol which rots the belt.
If it dies when its only worth 1500-2k you haven't really lost much. It may never die. What usually ruins them is lack of servicing, servicing with the wrong oil or lots of short journeys where the oil is contaminated with petrol which rots the belt.
Fady said:
Double check on a Ford specific forum but may officially be 10 years/140k to change.
If I'm remembering correctly, Ford initially said 10 years or 150k miles, but later advised replacing them at 100k miles due to high failure rates.The lifespan of the belt seems to vary hugely, with the general (probably unproven, quite possibly wrong!) belief being that it depends on how frequently the oil is changed and what type of oil is used.
Garage down the street did ours for £700 inc parts and vat! Sent me a load of pictures as he was doing it and showed me all parts he removed, he also cleaned the vac pump, oil pump strainer and turbo filter (in the block) fitted a new water pump which isn’t essential but came with the kit.
Surprisingly for 95k it wasn’t missing any teeth but the belt had started to delaminate.
Surprisingly for 95k it wasn’t missing any teeth but the belt had started to delaminate.
Just replace with a simple copy n' paste N/A petrol car, no need to go EV in my opinion, plenty under the £3.5k you could get by chopping it in.
Ford do some good petrol engines, the wetbelt design being their s
t one you need to avoid, but congratulations on getting that far with it, some achievement that in my eyes.
My mechanic absolutely hates working on them, so yes there is the increase in rates, as it's a pain of a job and takes away more profitable jobs in the workshop.
Ford do some good petrol engines, the wetbelt design being their s
t one you need to avoid, but congratulations on getting that far with it, some achievement that in my eyes.My mechanic absolutely hates working on them, so yes there is the increase in rates, as it's a pain of a job and takes away more profitable jobs in the workshop.
7 5 7 said:
Just replace with a simple copy n' paste N/A petrol car, no need to go EV in my opinion, plenty under the £3.5k you could get by chopping it in.
Ford do some good petrol engines, the wetbelt design being their st one you need to avoid, but congratulations on getting that far with it, some achievement that in my eyes.
My mechanic absolutely hates working on them, so yes there is the increase in rates, as it's a pain of a job and takes away more profitable jobs in the workshop.
This^^^ When I wanted a reliable cheap runabout, I bought a mk7 Fiesta 1.6 petrol Zetec S. Cambelt/water pump is around £3-400 on those.Ford do some good petrol engines, the wetbelt design being their s
t one you need to avoid, but congratulations on getting that far with it, some achievement that in my eyes.My mechanic absolutely hates working on them, so yes there is the increase in rates, as it's a pain of a job and takes away more profitable jobs in the workshop.
Shocks me that these garbage ecoboom cars are worth anything at all, I assume due to lack of public information. I can't see any popular used car review (what car, honest john etc) sites that mention the £1-1.5k wetbelt bill due at just 6 years old, I wonder how much Ford paid them to keep that detail out.
kambites said:
A 40 mile commute is pretty much ideal usage for a smallish used EV, but the up-front costs are obviously going to be significant. If it was me and you have the ability to charge at home, I'd probably be looking to spend <£10k on a small used EV, maybe something like a Zoe. If you can't charge at home, forget it, IMO - fix the Ford or replace it with something similar with a less moronic engine design.
AgreeEV worth considering if and only if you have a drive/garage where you can charge it at home.
For most cases an EV will be nicer to commute in than the Fiesta - pre-heated/cooled before leaving home, silent and smooth to drive, no need to go to petrol stations. (The exception would be if it's 20 miles each way of deserted moorland roads and OH enjoys driving).
It will be a larger up-front investment than doing the belt on the Fiesta, in exchange for which it'll be cheaper to fuel (perhaps one fifth the cost) and maintain, and it should last you longer.
Almost any EV will do a 40 miles journey, so range shouldn't be an issue. You could consider the e-Up (and siblings) or the Ioniq 28 kWh in addition to those mentioned.
Jiebo said:
Shocks me that these garbage ecoboom cars are worth anything at all, I assume due to lack of public information. I can't see any popular used car review (what car, honest john etc) sites that mention the £1-1.5k wetbelt bill due at just 6 years old, I wonder how much Ford paid them to keep that detail out.
They are not garbage. The engines are really good to live with. The belt in the 1.0 in our Focus was in good condition when it was changed. It had been serviced with the correct oil.The cost might sound a lot, but compared with the price of a car, not a lot.
The daughter 2013 1.0 Fiesta was done last year at 120k for just over £700 by one of our locals who now seems to do these as standard fair. My own 2020 1.0 van is coming up for its change soon currently at 135k will change around 140k sometime in March. I will be using the same garage in Cumbria.
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